Non hands Wales major boost

5 July 2010 15:09

By Graeme Gillespie

Wales Women's head coach Jason Lewis has been handed some welcome news with Non Evans expected to be fighting fit in time for the World Cup.

The experienced full back recently injured her Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) while attempting to make the Welsh Commonwealth Games squad in the under 59kg Olympic freestyle wrestling event in New Delhi in October.

An initial scan indicated an operation would be required but the injury has now stabilized and the 84-times capped stalwart hopes to be available for selection against Ireland on 1 August.

"The instability was not as bad as the scan first suggested," said Evans. "They were pleased with how stable my leg was, so I have to have a couple of weeks in a brace to encourage it to reattach itself. I can walk and run on it, I have just got to rest it otherwise it won't improve.

"I haven't had an injury since I broke my leg in 2006, so I have been very lucky with all the sports that I do. Hopefully it will heal quickly. I can still do the bike and gym so I can keep my fitness up, which is great because I'm fitter than I have ever been before."

With Wales's World Cup bid kicking off against Australia on August 20 at Surrey Sports Park, Evans admitted the squad are eagerly awaiting their chance to go head to head with the best teams in the world.

"It's really exciting and everyone in the Welsh squad is now starting to talk about our first game with Australia. It is getting closer and closer and the mood in the camp is really good considering how we went in the Six Nations, getting the wooden spoon and losing to Italy," she said.

"A lot of the players who missed the Six Nations through injury are fit and back and there is really good competition for places in the squad."

Wales reached their first semi-final since 2013 in the opening round of this season's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie recaps on what proved to be an eventful tournament

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

Many of the Wales squad have said Diolch (thank you) to someone who played an important part in their early playing days by nominating them to be invited to the Wales v South Africa match. One person, Gowerton Comprehensive geography teacher Mr Dean Mason was nominated by two of his former pupils, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

WRU TV: Hear from inside the Wales camp as Neil Jenkins discusses this weekend's clash with South Africa and how the squad are looking to put in a strong performance to round of the 2016 Under Armour Series